Forum on arts, health promotion to be held March 24

A network of Harris County academic institutions, public health systems and community service organizations, including the NCI-designated Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine, will host an educational forum March 24 on how to use various art forms to promote important health messages.

The forum takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the United Way of Greater Houston Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Dr., 77007. Free parking is available on-site.

With an established successful arts-based health program, The Duncan Cancer Center's Office of Outreach and Health Disparities is a key player in this network.

Edutainment

Elements of its program include hosting community plays that educate Hispanics and African-Americans about their risk and the importance of colorectal cancer screening, an online "tele-novela"program that guides Hispanic women from breast cancer diagnosis through treatment and the Houston Art Car collaboration with the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions to promote healthy eating.

"This educational strategy is called ‘edutainment' or entertainment education,"said Dr. Maria Jibaja-Weiss, director of the Office of Outreach. "It has been very well received in our community as a way of communicating these important messages to reduce disparities."

Breakout sessions

Free and open to the public, the Houston Forum for Arts in Health will include the following breakout sessions:

Visual arts, student outreach and nutrition education

Forum theater techniques for community health work

Theater outreach for cancer prevention

Texas Children's Cancer Center Arts in Medicine program

For more information, contact Lidia Porto at 713-798-1124 or porto@bcm.edu.